I’ve never been on a flight where attendants refused to let people make urgent bathroom stops, even when the seatbelt signs are on. They ask you to please return to your seat asap but have never handed me or anyone on my flights a cup inst ad of allowing them a quick urgent trip to the facilities.
Okay, am I the only female here wondering how it is even possible to pee in a cup while sitting in an airplane seat?? If it was a guy, yeah, maybe. I’ve done my share of camping and such so…I’m just having a really hard time finding this plausible.
I can’t figure it out myself. This whole article is very odd.
Yeah, I’m not buying it either. If she had a known condition you’d think she wear a Poise pad or something ‘just in case’
Pretty sure the story isn’t as she says it. No way would they actually expect (or want) a woman to pee in a cup. In particular because, what is she going to do with the cup anyways? Put it in the seatback? 
Most likely, they just heard someone asking for a cup. Possibly someone was being sarcastic (I’ve not had great experiences with some of the male flight attendants on United, not to be sexist). But no, nobody would expect her or want her to pee in a couple. Not buying it.
But if someone has a serious bladder problem and medical condition in any situation where they may be restricted from using the restroom, they really need to be a responsible adult. That means wearing an adult diaper, just in case they need it.
I have had a United attendant yell at me to sit down even after I told her it was urgent. This was some time ago but I still resent the attitude.
And, yes, I absolutely can pee in a cup seated. Have done so in a moving car at times.
It takes a certain talent :). Have never on a plane but can imagine it if my spouse was able
to shield me.
In full disclosure, I carry a tupperware with a tight lid in my trunk. I learned to do this in Iceland
traveling the ring road and now think it is a good idea in general. It is with my earthquake kit.
Guess she was a sharpshooter. 
This one I do believe
http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/05/10/united-passenger-claims-trip-was-canceled-after-filming-fight-over-luggage.html
How can an oversized bag fee cost $125 one direction but $300 on the return? Note they were specifically addressing the size of the bag and not the weight which I know could vary.
I’m sure that there are security cameras in the airport so this was likely taped by security cameras anyway, can an airline employee really cancel a flight because he was videotaping her? After all she was doing the same thing? It looked to me that he was just wanting to talk to her supervisor about the discrepancy in oversized fees and repeatedly said he was willing to pay the $125 fee he paid before.
Personally think these baggage fees have gotten ridiculous! DS has a flight on United flight from Austin to Newark (not my choice but I’m not paying for the ticket) first suitcase $25 second suitcase $35 each way so $120 on top of a $550 ticket he’ll also have a flight from Newark to China this summer and I’m concerned how much more they’ll charge for international baggage.
@3scoutsmom, I don’t know all carriers rules, but typically international travel includes free baggage - 1 or 2 suitcases. In my experience, the traveler is not allowed to go over the allowed weight limit even by an ounce without paying extra.
I hate flying domestically.
Our S was astounded by the generous free luggage allowance he was allowed internationally and purchased two huge triangular bolsters in Thailand with some inexpensive tyvek bags so he could use his max luggage allowance “free.” He was also pleased that they allowed him to change his flight dates at no charge–he loved Thailand and returned when he could.
I just attempted to check American international baggage rules
https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/baggage.php
It seems the first bag will be free but the second will be $100 each way but you have to use United’s “baggage calculator” to find out the exact fees and restrictions. I don’t have the flight info yet so I can’t do that. But it looks like we are looking at a minimum of $320 in baggage fees for this trip. I shouldn’t complain since I’m not paying for the actual flights but it’s just the principle that gets to me.
When I flew Delta to Ghana with my Girl Scouts we got two bags checked free, I think this is a money grab from United.
We have had ticket agents ignore a pound or so of extra weight, (in our bags, I mean), or ask us to move some things from checked to carry-on bags if needed to hit the weight limit. At one airport, maybe Edinburgh, they had scales you could use, at 1 pound per use, to weigh your bags. Thanks a lot.
Airlines make money any way they can. Listing a cheap fare and charging for extras is one way they do that. If you want to pay more up front for more services you have that option as well, but most people go for the low fare and don’t look into the details enough.
We flew last weekend on Southwest, which I have always liked. It was fine - we both checked our bags, (one each, no extra charge) got thru security with Pre Check, and had plenty of legroom. Since DH and I usually take a window/middle combination, we usually have someone quickly grab the aisle seat next to me.
For the first time, I used the Southwest automatic check-in process to get a good boarding number. One of the things I’ve always been too cheap to do. Boy I’m getting profligate in my old age.
@3scoutsmom As an aside, why so much stuff to bring?
On thing I consider when getting fired up about baggage fees is that, in real dollar terms, airfares are pretty cheap right now relative to the past.
My S was charged $50 or $100 overweight fees once as a student–he was very irked but powerless. They refused to let him move things to avoid the charge. Since then he travels very light – carry on only.
He’ll be gone for more than 6 weeks, needs to to bring regular clothes and business attire, gifts and may need to bring linens (still waiting to hear about that) not sure how often he’ll have access to laundry. He also needs to bring gifts there and souvenirs home. I don’t think two bags is “so much stuff” for 6 weeks. Also I don’t think $550 for a round trip economy class ticket from Austin/Newark is a cheap ticket, more of an average price.
@3scoutsmom If I remember the reason why your son is traveling correctly, aren’t his travel expenses paid for?
When my kids did a similar trip, they did one very large duffel (still within the limits) checked and an the biggest carry on they could handle, plus a book bag type backpack as a personal item/purse (comes in handy for day trips and short weekend type excursions. They did not need linens and had no issues with access to laundry. Clothing is incredibly inexpensive over there so if he finds he forgot something, super easy to replace. 
@3scoutsmom my D is flying United internationally today for a study abroad. She gets two free checked bags (50lb, 62in), one carry-on, one personal item. She’s flying economy and doesn’t have any special status.
@3scoutsmom, one of my kids moved to Asia with two underweight checked bags and a carry-on. Business attire, casual attire, shoes for different occassions, summer gear, winter jacket, etc, etc. Also professional paraphernalia. Been there multiple years now and could return with the same two suitcases - although the household goods and furniture purchased for use there would be given away. I’d encourage your S to travel light, it really makes things much easier.
I think he could easily travel with two bags but one would be really tight. From the info on United’s web page, without knowing the the flight info, the second international bag would be $100 each way plus the domestic travel of $60 each way. The program he is attending has given surprisingly little info and when DS has sent emails asking specific questions the reply has been just that more information will be forthcoming. I’m a planner so this makes me a bit crazy. I don’t know how much time he’ll have for shopping especially when he first arrives. I know he will be in a college dorm for more than half his stay.
Really, I don’t mind paying for the baggage fee since I’m not paying for the flights (it a huge bargain for us) I’m just irked that United is charging these fees in the first place. I can see charging for oversized and excess baggage but this policy just encourages people to bring as much as possible as carry on and seems like they are nickle and diming passengers. The Newark flight is not a cheap flight. I don’t know what the China flight will be like. SouthWest doesn’t charge for bags and they are a discount airline so why does united charge for all bags?
I am in DC for my daughters commencement, we flew American. The flight attendants were so unfriendly. I’ve never gotten on a flight where none of them smiled no one said good morning as we boarded and none said goodbye as passengers exited.